Young switches to Ohio State

Tuesday

Jun 20, 2017 at 4:00 AM

By Adam Jardy GateHouse Ohio Media

COLUMBUS -- For more than seven months, Kyle Young was sure of his decision to play basketball at Butler.

A top-100 recruit who finished as runner-up to Westerville South's Kaleb Wesson for Ohio's Mr. Basketball award while leading Massillon Jackson to a Division I title, Young signed with the Bulldogs over Ohio State in November and was set to enroll June 26.

That is, until the Buckeyes fired coach Thad Matta and hired Butler's Chris Holtmann as his replacement. With Holtmann and his entire coaching staff making the move, Young ended nearly two weeks' worth of speculation and announced on his Twitter page Monday evening that he has signed with the Buckeyes.

"I always loved Ohio State, but I have that really close bond with coach Holtmann and coach (Ryan) Pedon and the other two guys I really like," Young told The Columbus Dispatch. "It's just a great opportunity with them that they're coaching there and Ohio State's so close to home. I'm happy to be representing them now."

After plenty of soul-searching, Young secured his release from Butler on Monday morning. It wasn't until that took place that the 6-foot-8, 205-pound small forward said he was allowed to contact the Ohio State coaches. He did, they discussed the situation and the change was made.

"His versatility, motor and work ethic make him a great addition to our program," Holtmann said in a statement. "We really look forward to getting him to campus to join his teammates."

The Buckeyes began summer workouts June 5, the day Matta's firing was announced. Young said he will join the program by the end of the week.

With Young, Butler's five-man recruiting class was ranked 28th nationally by ESPN, the best in program history. Ohio State's two-man class consisting of point guard Braxton Beverly and Wesson was not ranked in the top 40, which is as low as ESPN's rankings go. With Young's inclusion, 247Sports had moved the Buckeyes' class of 2017 to No. 32 nationally and fourth-best in the Big Ten.

His decision between the Buckeyes and Bulldogs came down to their respective coaching staffs, he said.

"It was mainly coach Holtmann and (the coaches)," he said. "They recruited me so well throughout the whole process and prioritized me and they really did a good job with that. That was one of the main things that led me towards Butler."

247Sports ranked Young the No. 77 prospect in the nation and No. 2 in Ohio, behind Wesson.

In addition to his talent, Young adds a much-needed body to the Ohio State roster. The Buckeyes now have 10 recruited scholarship players for next season including redshirt freshman Derek Funderburk, who was suspended indefinitely last week by Holtmann for failure to meet team expectations.

As a senior, Young averaged 18 points and 6.5 rebounds. He scored 1,582 career points for Jackson and his final game came at Value City Arena.

Now his next home game will be played there, too.

"Everyone is congratulating me and saying how excited they are but we've got to get there and start working hard, trying to turn this thing around," he said. "I'm excited to be staying home and playing for Ohio State."